GNAC Student-Athlete Spotlight - Meaghan & Shannon Skidmore

Senior twins, Meaghan and Shannon Skidmore are wrapping up their final soccer season together this fall at Albertus Magnus. Meaghan, a midfielder for the Falcons, and Shannon, a defender, have been sharing the field since they were just four-years-old.

The lengthy union has paid dividends for the two who know exactly what the other will do on the field before they do it.

"Without looking up I can know where she is going to be," Shannon said. "I know if she is going to win the ball in the air so it makes it easier for us"

It's the same for Meaghan.

"I know she wins the majority of tackles," Meaghan said. "So I can start to make my run when I see it happening because I know exactly what she is going to do."

Even though they have never formally played against each other that doesn't mean the sisters haven't fostered a bit of a rivalry. Two sport athletes in high school, the two remember going one-on-one frequently in basketball.

"We were out for blood," Meaghan said.

The pair hasn't grown out of the sibling infighting even though they are only months away from graduating college as Shannon remembers taking her sister out when they matched up in practice recently.

Despite the battles the twins knew they wanted to continue playing together when they finished high school. The college search was all about finding a school they could continue to play soccer at and that had business finance for Meaghan and psychology for Shannon. This brought them to Central Connecticut State University where they played their freshman year.

They both wanted more playing time and had their eyes on Albertus so they decided to make the switch for their sophomore seasons.

Now, in their final year in New Haven they want nothing more than to take home a GNAC championship.

"We have always lost in the tournament," Meaghan said. "It would mean the world to us to make it all worth it in the end and win a championship."

Meaghan will be a key cog in the Falcons quest to take home the tourney hardware. A self-proclaimed clutch player, she is tied for the team lead with three game winning goals including an overtime winner in September to defeat Rivier.

"I feel like I am at my best at the end of the game for the most part," Meaghan said. "The team can rely on me."

Her late game heroics come as a product of hard work and hustle according to Shannon.

"She will chase down any ball at the end," Shannon said. "She is going to go hard right down to the last second."

A GNAC championship would only add to Shannon's trophy case as she was named GNAC Sportswoman of the Year for 2012-13 in August.

"I was shocked," Shannon said. "I was so honored that people thought so highly of me in the league. I couldn't be more thankful."

The Skidmores will look to lead the Falcons to their first GNAC championship starting Saturday, November 2 when the conference tournament kicks off. The duo likes their prospects.

"We just have to keep the momentum going," Meaghan said. "Everyone is playing unselfishly and playing as a complete team and as long as we keep doing that we have a great chance game by game." 

*Written by GNAC Communications Specialist, Eddie Lockhart